Who We Are

Enterprise Strategy, Competitiveness and Evaluation Division

The Enterprise Strategy, Competitiveness and Evaluation Division works with other divisions in the department and with other government departments with the aim of ensuring that policy supports a competitive, high-productivity and sustainable enterprise sector.

The division provides evidence-based support to the work of the department and works across government to enhance the business environment in areas such as skills, taxation, environmental sustainability, competitiveness and productivity. The division also operates a suite of programmes designed to ensure that businesses of all sizes and at all stages of development can access appropriate financing to underpin their ambitions for growth. In addition, the division develops Ireland’s position on EU state aid policy, including providing support and advice across government on state aid matters.

The division is responsible for advising on and developing enterprise policy and for climate change and energy policy as they relate to the enterprise sector. The government’s White Paper on Enterprise was published in December 2022 and sets a vision for Irish-based enterprise to succeed through competitive advantage founded on sustainability, innovation and productivity, delivering rewarding jobs and livelihoods.

The Enterprise Strategy, Competitiveness and Evaluation Division provides the Secretariat for the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) and the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN). Both the NCPC and EGFSN publish their advice and reports on their respective websites. It also supports the operations of the Low Pay Commission.

Assistant Secretary: Gary Tobin

Units 

  • Economic and Tax Policy
  • Climate Action and Energy Policy
  • Labour Market and Skills
  • Data and Evaluation
  • Enterprise Strategy
  • Offshore Wind Strategy
  • State Aid and Finance for Enterprise

Main contact points

UnitContact point

Economic and Tax Policy Unit (including Competitiveness and Productivity)

Dermot Coates

Email: dermot.coates@enterprise.gov.ie

Labour Market and Skills Unit

Marcus Breathnach

Email: marcus.breathnach@enterprise.gov.ie

Data and Evaluation Unit

Orla O'Brien

Email: orla.obrien@enterprise.gov.ie

Enterprise Strategy Unit

Éadaoin Collins

Email: esu@enterprise.gov.ie

Climate Action and Energy Policy Unit

Joseph Cummins

Email: climateaction@enterprise.gov.ie

Offshore Wind Strategy Unit

Helena Quilty

Email: offshorewind@enterprise.gov.ie

State Aid and Finance for Enterprise Unit

Sabha Greene

Email: sabha.greene@enterprise.gov.ie

Main divisional contact

Patricia O’Connor

Email: patricia.oconnor@enterprise.gov.ie

Conor Cahill

Email: conor.cahill@enterprise.gov.ie